How do I stop the old water smell (earthy odor) in my LG front load washer?

Assuming the odor is not a burning rubber smell or some other type of odor caused by a mechanical malfunction:

Remove the bottom of the washer (three screws I believe and above the drawer if you have one) and then open up the drain pump catch and clean it. You may want to put down some towels or even a bowl to catch water that will spill out. There are videos on how to clean this on youtube "Whirlpool Duet Water Pump Drain Catch". I believe this will solve the problem.

Use a s.o.s pad to remove mold there will still be staining but it will gey the bulk of.Now to get rid of the smell ( this has been a mixture I have used for about ten yers works every time) put the washer on hot heavy wash start when done filling drain what you want to do is make sure the water is the hottest it can be. now start washer again on hot wash when you see water in bottom of tub stop machine to open door ADD two cups of dish washing power( brand does not matter I tell most people to buy cheap stuff at walmart) start machine let it run till you see powder disolve then stop washer and add 1 cup bleach. let unit go through complete cycle..If your washer has a clean cycle use that instead of the heavy or normal cycle. The most I ever had to do this treatment was 2 cycles and it worked every time.Note all front load washers the door must be left open to pervent odor/bellows should be wiped clean after each use/and a good cleaning at least once a month. anyhow if this helped please vote if you need more help please ask

NOTE the dish soap is the stuff for a dish washer

Hi,
Here is a tip about how to clean your washer

How to have a Clean Washer

heatman101



///

Siemens
WFXD8400UC Front Load Washer
This video will show you how to change the door seal gasket on your washing machine
Please remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all appliance tutorials
a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

Use some detergent plus baking soda and mix it in with the water--rub it around (with an old toothbrush) to loosen the mold. Let sit for a while, then wipe water, mold, and cleaner away. Finally, rinse with clean water and wipe dry. Leave the door ajar to air out after each wash. It will help to remove the standing water each time. Don't poke a hole in the seal to drain the water out, because water will then run out of the bottom of the washer.

run a empty cycle with bleach on whites/ sanitize. clean boot (rubber gasket at door) with bleach or other cleaner inside especially at bottom, make sure 3 holes at bottom are clear.
this may take multiple cycles to rid of odor.
For maintenance, you should wipe excess water from boot after last load, and check lower drain holes. Once a month wipe boot with windex or other. and run cleaner cycle (empty) newer machines have a special clean washer cycle. (6240 doesnt).
Also clean your drain pump filter at bottom front behind access panel.
If boot is really bad , replace.

have you tryed a boil wash with nothing in the washer to soften and expel any caked powder in the drum?i know this does help

Are you wiping the glass and the water seal (you have to peel it back to get at the pooled water) each and every load? We used to have a top-load and never had to do this before, but if you dry it every time it won't mildew.

If you weren't you will have to wash the rubber gasket with vinegar or some other solvent... Check your owner's guide.

First, clean out the filter behind the access door on the lower left front of the machine. Residue left in the filter can contribute to odor issues. Second, buy a package of AhFresh or Whilaway and run a cycle with that, hot water, longest cycle. (unfortunately you do not have the sanitary cycle or the tub clean cycle on your model) Third, and most importantly, USE LESS DETERGENT. Top load washers use up to 45 gallons of water per cycle. Your machine uses 12. Use one tablespoon of HE detergent and one teaspoon of fabric softener (if you use softener) per cycle. My personal LG washer is now over 5 years old, and have only had an odor issue one time. I leave the door closed after I wash. (the tub is vented) Never have had any mold or mildew issues with my washer. Was doing several loads per day when I had 7 at home, now only doing 3 loads a week with all the kids, their spouses, and grandkid gone. Still no odor problems. Great machines if used properly. Note: the odor / mold / mildew issues are basically the same with any front load machine, regardless of brand, and most can be solved following the above advise. Good luck.

you need to replace the front boot what a pain you may need a tech to do this also you need to keep door open and wipe the boot with a towel after each use this is a common problem with front loaders.I do warranty work and run across this problem alot
before you replace boot turn on washer with nothing in it and let it cycle if you see suds in water you are using to much soap and this will cause the machine to over fill check this first